Lely North America is proud to announce six outstanding recipients of the 2026 Lely Future of Dairy Scholarships. Interest in the program reached a new high this year, with a record number of applicants. After careful review, two college students have been selected to receive one-time $1,500 college scholarships, and four high school students have been awarded one-time $500 high school scholarships.
College Scholarship Winners
Abbie Ainslie of Clayville, New York, is a junior at Cornell University majoring in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on animal science and education. She plans to pursue a career educating youth about agriculture and the dairy industry. Through involvement in organizations such as the New York Junior Holstein Association, 4-H, FFA and the Cornell University Dairy Science Club, she has developed a passion for advocacy, youth leadership and connecting consumers with modern food production. She grew up on a small dairy farm in New York, where she learned the values of hard work, discipline and integrity through firsthand experience in agriculture.
As a second-year Ph.D. student at University of New Hampshire, Francesca Pharo of Durham, New Hampshire, is passionate about combining production agriculture with advanced technologies to better support dairy producers. Her research focuses on using precision technology to improve the health and management of transition dairy cows while helping farmers make better use of the growing amount of on-farm data. Inspired by experiences like presenting at the Precision Dairy Farming Conference 2025, she is committed to bridging the gap between academic research and practical farm applications.
High School Scholarship Winners
Kathryn Kilgard of Marengo, Iowa, has a strong foundation in agriculture through her work at Bellevue Farms and involvement in FFA. Her experience of caring for a wide variety of animals, combined with leadership roles, speech contests, and community service projects, has strengthened her adaptability, communication skills, and work ethic. Kilgard has been dual enrolled in high school and community college. She will attend Iowa State University.
Darrin VanderMeulen of Grandview, Washington, believes success in agriculture depends on adaptability, a strong work ethic, and embracing new technology. With 10 years of project experience, leadership roles in 4-H and FFA, extensive community service, and hands-on work experience, he has built a strong foundation for a future in agriculture. VanderMeulen plans to attend Dordt University to continue preparing for a career in agricultural leadership and innovation.
Lauren DeCoste of Attleboro, Massachusetts, is a hardworking and highly self-motivated high school senior pursuing a career in animal nutrition. With more than seven years of hands-on animal care experience, she has developed strong skills in animal management, teamwork, leadership, mentoring, and problem-solving. She plans to attend Cornell University.
Kalli Barber
Kalli Barber of DeWitt, Iowa, is completing both her high school diploma and an associate degree from Clinton Community College before planning to attend Iowa State University. Kalli works with Eastern Iowa Farmer Magazine as a columnist and hands-on work at Jersey Marketing Services & Brown Swiss Association, and Irish Hill Dairy. Active in FFA and 4-H, she has developed leadership, communication, and animal science skills.
The team at Lely North America extends its appreciation to all of the outstanding students who applied for this year’s scholarship. We’re inspired by the talent and ambition of these individuals and look forward to the future they will help shape.